Echuca's Lynkoln Richardson put in two strong performances for the Pioneers at the V/Line cup pathway competition. Photos: Megan Fisher.
The top under-15 footballers from country Victoria converged on Ballarat last week to showcase their skills in the V/Line Cup.
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The cup is a premier pathway competition that gives athletes the opportunity to earn their way into higher-level talent programs, including the Coates Talent League, as they seek the ultimate goal of the AFL or AFLW.
The Bendigo Pioneers entered sides in both boys’ divisions and the girls’ division, with several locals given the opportunity to shine in the three-day carnival, held from September 22 to 24.
The division two boys’ side had the most success as a team, first defeating Goulburn Murray 74-49 and then scoring a narrow win over Gippsland Power 57-55.
The local influence in the squad came from Oliver Spring and Xavier Carmichael, both representing Echuca.
Carmichael was among the side’s best in the first encounter, kicking a goal, while Spring stepped up in the second fixture with two goals and a selection in the best.
The division one boys side split its fixtures, starting well with a victory over Goulburn Murray 96-28, before falling 62-43 to Gippsland Power in the second game.
The squad included Echuca prospects Charlie Sutton, Finn Murphy, Harrison Whan, Jackson Butterworth, Lynkoln Richardson and Macklan Dalziel, as well as Tongala’s Hugo Monnich Vo.
Sutton and Richardson were scorers and among the side’s best in the opening fixture, while Butterworth, Dalziel, Murphy and Monnich Vo were all goalkickers in the game.
In the side’s second contest, Richardson was the team’s best on ground, while Whan and Butterworth were also recognised as strong contributors.
Echuca United’s Harper Delamare was one of the local stars in the girls’ side.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The Pioneers girls’ side also had a mixed campaign, starting the carnival with a 66-14 win over Goulburn Murray, then going down 39-10 to Gippsland Power.
Echuca United’s Ava Plattfuss, Harper Delamare, Julia Taranto and Lily Dunham were each named in the squad, as was Moama’s Ruby Morgan.
In the opening contest, Harper Delamare kicked two goals and was the side’s best on ground, while Julia Taranto’s contribution was also recognised.
Best-on statistics weren’t provided for the squad’s second game.
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